Reggie Bush happy to become a Lion

FILE - In this Nov. 25, 2012 file photo, Miami Dolphins running back Reggie Bush stretches during warmups before the start of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Miami. The biggest move Wednesday, March 13, 2013, was made by Detroit, which agreed with Bush on a four-year deal to fill a huge hole at running back. (AP Photo/Rhona Wise, File)

ALLEN PARK — Reggie Bush said it wasn’t a tough decision at all to sign with the Detroit Lions.

“I got about two to three hours of sleep (Tuesday) night, I was up, I was thinking about all the possibilities,’’ Bush said after signing a four-year, $16 million deal on Wednesday.

“We had such a great meeting (Tuesday night), it almost seemed like too perfect. I’m excited to get this thing on the road and get to work because I think it’s going to be a good thing,’’ the running back said. “I look forward to winning a lot of football games here.’’

The 27-year-old Bush was targeted by the Lions for many reasons. With Jahvid Best out of action for the last year and a half, the running game has struggled and therefore put more pressure on the passing game.

“We had a sore need for explosive runs on offense, we were last in NFL in explosive runs last year,’’ Lions coach Jim Schwartz said.

Bush was a good fit for their needs.

“The key to drafting and free agency and everything else we do is having a job description in mind for a player and the player’s skill set,’’ Schwartz said.

“The thing that was important for us was not just the talents of Reggie Bush, but also the way those talents complement other players on offense, notably Calvin Johnson and Matthew Stafford,’’ Schwartz added.

With the threat of the Stafford-Johnson connection, the Lions’ offense sees six or seven men in the box routinely.

“It’s a running back’s dream. It’s the first thing we talked about when we’re watching film and to see those safeties deep and to see the safeties rolling over, double-coveraging Calvin Johnson, it’s a running back’s dream,’’ Bush said.

“We have to be able to run the ball in the situation and that’s one of the reasons I wanted to come here to be able to bring a balanced attack and help take some of the pressure off Calvin Johnson and Matthew Stafford and just complement them. I think it’s going to work out well,’’ Bush added.

In the past Bush has preferred to be the primary ball carrier. In recent seasons the Lions have used a platoon system.

Reports were out there that Bush was told he would be an every-down back if he signed with the Lions, but he would not confirm that.

“That’s a question you have to ask Coach Schwartz. I definitely know I’ll be out there on the football field a lot,’’ said Bush who had 986 yards rushing (4.3 yards per rush average) and 35 receptions for 292 yards and eight total touchdown in 2012 for the Dolphins.

He had more yards in the last two years in Miami than any of his five seasons with the New Orleans Saints where he won a Super Bowl ring.

“I’ve done three to four carries a game, I’ve done 20-25 carries a game. I’m comfortable with when we win, that’s what I’m most comfortable with,’’ Bush said. “That’s what I’m here for is to help this team win. I’m not so much worried about my personal stats I think I’m at the point in my career now where winning is the most important thing to me.

“I felt the same with the coaches and the players here too,’’ Bush said. “It’s not about numbers, it’s just about how we can be the most successful on the football field on Sundays.’’

Bush also had interest from other teams including the Arizona Cardinals, but his first — and it turns out only — visit was to the Lions.

“Speaking with coach Schwartz and coach (Scott) Linehan the language was the same. We talked about football and the things we wanted to see out of this thing was the same,’’ Bush said. “It made sense, it felt right from the beginning. It just made sense. They didn’t really have to sell me too much on it, they could have pulled out one (film) clip and I was already sold.’’

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